Peace talks have started between rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congolese government officials. Sunday’s negotiations, in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, got off to a tense start with M23 rebel representative Francois Ruchongoza blaming the country’s conflict on poor governance. Congo Foreign Affairs Minister Raymond Tshibanda, who is representing the government, protested the […]
DR Congo Government, Rebels Start Talks
Ghana Opposition Claims Election Fraud
Ghana’s main opposition party is alleging fraud in the country’s recent presidential election. The claims, made by the New Patriotic Party, come as preliminary results indicate a tight race between their candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, and incumbent President, John Dramani Mahama. Local news outlet Joy News used counts from polling stations to predict a slight victory […]
AU, Somali Troops Capture Rebel Stronghold
African Union forces and Somali government troops have captured the town of Jowhar from al-Shabab militants. Witnesses say troops entered the town Sunday morning and briefly fought with militants before gaining control. Several al-Shabab members have confirmed that their forces have pulled out of Jowhar. The town is about 90 kilometers north of the capital, […]
South Africa’s Mandela Spends Night in Hospital
Officials in South Africa say former president Nelson Mandela spent the night in a Pretoria hospital, where he was admitted to undergo tests. President Jacob Zuma visited Mr. Mandela Sunday morning, and said the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was “comfortable, and in good care.” An earlier statement from Mr. Zuma’s office Saturday said the 94-year-old […]
South Africa’s Mandela Spends Night in Hospital
People in South Africa are expressing concern for former South African president Nelson Mandela after he spent the night in a Pretoria hospital. A statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office says the 94-year-old former leader was admitted Saturday for tests “consistent with his age.” The statement says there is “no cause for alarm.” Worshippers gathered […]
South Africa’s Mandela Hospitalized
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been admitted to a hospital in Pretoria. A statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office says the 94-year-old former leader was admitted on Saturday, for tests “consistent with his age.” The statement says there is “no cause for alarm.” Mr. Mandela has grown frail and has not made a […]
Yellow Fever Kills 165, Still Spreading in Darfur
The United Nations says 165 people have died of yellow fever in Sudan’s Darfur region over the past three months, and warns the outbreak continues to spread. The resident U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan said Thursday the total number of yellow fever cases in Darfur stands at more than 670, and that it is likely […]
DRC Gov’t, Rebels to Begin Talks Friday
Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo will open talks with the Congolese government Friday in Uganda. Ugandan spokesman Fred Opolot says delegations from the Congolese government and rebel group M23 will begin preliminary meetings in Kampala aimed at resolving their conflict. He says the talks will focus on ground rules for future meetings and […]
South Africa Military Plane Crash Kills 11
A South African military plane has crashed in the eastern part of the country, killing all 11 people on board. The South African defense ministry says the plane went down in the Drakensberg mountains after taking off late Wednesday from Pretoria. The plane was carrying six crew members and five passengers en route to Mthatha, […]
Congolese Troops Enter Goma Following Rebel Pullout
Democratic Republic of Congo troops have returned to the eastern city of Goma, although rebels who occupied the city for nearly two weeks remain close by. Rebels are threatening to retake the town if Congo’s government goes back on a promise to hold negotiations with them. M23 rebels were to withdraw 20 kilometers from the […]